CONFIRMED: Southwest Airlines' Best Perk Is Here to Stay

A lot is changing with Southwest Airlines.

Now, we’ll admit that we were a little worried when Southwest announced that it was getting rid of its open seating policy and switching to assigned seating. We also recently learned that premium seating would be coming soon, too. However, we are relieved to learn that Southwest’s best perk is not going anywhere.

Southwest Airlines recently held an Investor Day briefing and spoke about plans the airline has moving forward. During that briefing, we learned that assigned seating would become available to passengers in the second half of 2025, with the first flights operating with the new seating in 2026. Southwest also has plans to offer premium seating with up to five inches of additional legroom in the future, too.

Southwest has plans to “evolve” its boarding process once assigned seats become standard practice but will continue to focus on keeping the process as efficient as possible. The airline stated that its most loyal customers and those who pay for premium seating will continue to be the first to board.

However, the biggest concern from many Southwest fans is what the airline plans to do about its checked bag policy. At the moment, Southwest allows every passenger to check two bags for free. The airline reiterated that this free checked bag policy will remain in place.

According to Southwest, “Extensive research reinforces Southwest’s bags fly free policy remains the most important feature by far in setting Southwest apart from other airlines. Based on Southwest’s research, the Company believes that any change in the current policy that provides every Customer two free checked bags would drive down demand and far outweigh any revenue gains created by imposing and collecting bag fees.”

We imagine this news will be a big relief to many of Southwest’s customers who choose the airline for this specific perk. So you’ll be happy to know that Southwest has no plans on changing it any time soon.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Southwest also recently announced some big changes about where it will fly. It will be dropping some of its flights to Atlanta, although it will be increasing flights in other cities, like Nashville. The airline will also soon be offering overnight flights from Hawaii.

Stay tuned to AllEars for more.